Treatment
Labels Ear Infection
Treatment of an infection of the outer ear may involve one or more of
the following:
infection is cleared and to keep water out of the ears while bathing or
showering.
Treatment of otitis media depends in part on whether the patient
has otitis media with effusion (OME) or a bacterial infection. If the
swelling of the Eustachian tube and the fluid buildup are caused by a
virus, antibiotics will not help. About 80 percent of children with otitis
media do not have a bacterial infection and will recover without
antibiotics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a waitand-
see approach for the first two to three days to see whether the
infection will improve without antibiotics. Parents can give the child
nonaspirin pain relievers to relieve fever, apply warm washcloths to
the outer ear, or use anesthetic ear drops for pain. Antibiotics are
usually prescribed, however, for babies younger than six months; older
children who have had two or more ear infections within a month;
children in severe pain; or children with a fever of 102°F (38.9°C)
or higher.
The doctor may recommend surgical treatment if the child has
recurrent infections of the middle ear or if the infections are not cleared
by antibiotics. In this type of surgery, a small drainage tube is inserted
through the eardrum to drain fluid and to equalize the pressure
between the middle ear and outer ear. The tubes usually fall out on
their own as the child grows. If the child’s Eustachian tubes are blocked
by swollen adenoids, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of
the adenoids.
the following:
- Cleaning the outer ear with a cotton swab or suction device to
remove flaky skin and pus or other fluid. - Antibiotic ear drops to fight infection. If the ear canal is swollen
shut, the doctor may insert a wick that will allow the drops to
penetrate the full length of the ear canal. - Aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- Ear drops containing a steroid medication to reduce itching and
tissue swelling.
infection is cleared and to keep water out of the ears while bathing or
showering.
Treatment of otitis media depends in part on whether the patient
has otitis media with effusion (OME) or a bacterial infection. If the
swelling of the Eustachian tube and the fluid buildup are caused by a
virus, antibiotics will not help. About 80 percent of children with otitis
media do not have a bacterial infection and will recover without
antibiotics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a waitand-
see approach for the first two to three days to see whether the
infection will improve without antibiotics. Parents can give the child
nonaspirin pain relievers to relieve fever, apply warm washcloths to
the outer ear, or use anesthetic ear drops for pain. Antibiotics are
usually prescribed, however, for babies younger than six months; older
children who have had two or more ear infections within a month;
children in severe pain; or children with a fever of 102°F (38.9°C)
or higher.
The doctor may recommend surgical treatment if the child has
recurrent infections of the middle ear or if the infections are not cleared
by antibiotics. In this type of surgery, a small drainage tube is inserted
through the eardrum to drain fluid and to equalize the pressure
between the middle ear and outer ear. The tubes usually fall out on
their own as the child grows. If the child’s Eustachian tubes are blocked
by swollen adenoids, the doctor may recommend surgical removal of
the adenoids.
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